The five favorite fairy legends which Mr. Gustave Dore has illustrated are so well known, have been so often told, and in so many different ways, that it was a matter of no small difficulty to determine the best mode of treating them. The plan I have adopted is to give the tales in a simple meter and in the most unpretending manner, going, in short, little if anything beyond mere recital in easy verse. From performing even this plain task as I could have wished I have been prevented by ill health, and I fear that what I have written little deserves the honor of association with works of genius like Mr. Gustave Dore's pictures. But I have the single satisfaction of knowing that I have done the best I could."